Members of the MaineHealth Lincoln Hospital and MaineHealth Mid Coast Hospital Community Health Improvement Committee announced their support for two organizations focusing on providing safe, affordable housing and the needed support services for low-income individuals and families who may otherwise be homeless. 

Homeworthy and Stepping Stone Housing provide affordable housing solutions in Lincoln County, yet their programs are vastly different. The Committee gave a combined $460,000 to the organizations, in part to forge a longstanding partnership between them. The goal is not only to increase the number of affordable housing options, but to close the gaps in services for those in need.  

Stepping Stone Housing owns 15 units across Lincoln County, and their primary focus is providing a reasonable rent to low-income tenants so they can find financial stability. Most renters stay anywhere from 6 to 18 months.  

“We also work on budgeting with the families, and the rent is low enough that they can get their feet back on the ground,’’ said Marilee Harris, who leads the program. “With the low rent, they can build a cushion and be able to handle a bill like a car repair. They can get a better job and move forward.”  

As an organization that relies solely on volunteers, the need for professional case management for their clients is currently going unmet, Harris said. She’s excited about the new partnership with Homeworthy, which will help provide these services. Other areas of need, like food security, physical health, parenting and more can be addressed and ‘‘wrap around” individuals and families. 

“When I first sat down with Marilee, I felt a real kindred connection,’’ said Molly Feeney, Executive Director of Homeworthy. “Their program has a very unique way of serving its population. We can complement that. We both recognized during our conversations that we really need each other.”  

“For us to have someone to invest in the lives of the families we offer housing to will allow our organization to provide so much more,’’ Harris said. “It really does change the game.” 

Homeworthy works to partner with places like Stepping Stones to increase access to affordable housing. It also has a variety of offerings, including shelter, transportation, a youth center, care for individuals after they’re housed and much more.  

“Everyone needs a safety net,’’ said Feeney. “The primary challenge is housing, but we need to take care of the well-bring of the whole family ecosystem.” 

Feeney said she is grateful for the support of the Community Improvement Committee and recognized MaineHealth for “the boldness and the bravery” it has taken to affect change.

According to its charter established in March 2022, the Health Improvement Fund is dedicated to improving health in the MaineHealth Lincoln Hospital and MaineHealth Mid Coast Hospital’s service areas. 

The fund was formed in 2022, when then Mid Coast – Parkview Health joined the MaineHealth system. The committee makes its funding decisions by looking at recent community needs assessments and by relying on its members’ shared knowledge.  

Affordable housing and improving the mental health of school-aged children are priorities that have been supported and identified in the past three years.